For a decade, the scars of the Ebola outbreak still linger in Sierra Leone. Ten years ago, the virus claimed over 11,000 lives across West Africa, with nearly 4,000 of those deaths occurring in Sierra Leone alone. In stark contrast to that dark period, the world now boasts a stockpile of half a million Ebola vaccine doses. This week, Sierra Leone is set to launch its first nationwide preventive vaccination campaign, aiming to protect those most at risk. Over the next three weeks, health officials will administer 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, provided by Merck, marking a vital step in building a more resilient health system.
Health workers, soldiers, motorbike riders, and village hunters who are often on the frontline of potential outbreaks will be prioritized for vaccination. The initiative is welcomed with optimism, yet the painful memories of loss from the past remain fresh. Daddy Hassan Kamara, who lost nearly all his family during the 2014-16 outbreak, recalls the day his mother fell ill, only to find out too late that it was Ebola.
Despite the support Kamara once advocated for Ebola survivors and orphans, he now struggles to care for 13 relatives as the promised assistance fades. The health complications faced by survivors, including stigmatization in hospitals, underline the ongoing challenges in the aftermath of the epidemic. However, Kamara is wholeheartedly in favor of the new vaccination drive, recognizing its potential to prevent another catastrophic outbreak.
Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai, a key health official, expressed concerns that a new outbreak is inevitable without preventive measures. The vaccine is not a cure-all, but it represents a crucial tool in the fight against Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers, which remain a threat in the region. As Sierra Leone prepares for the vaccination campaign, the hope is that the lessons learned from the past will foster a more robust health response for the future.
